Things to do in Dorset and The New Forest

17 October 2019

Fancy a busy weekend in Dorset or the New Forest?

Here's our guide to just some of the events going on. Looking ahead to other events in the area.

These festivals are from around the county. Some will be closer to the park than others.

New Forest Summer Sportive
Date: 2020 TBC
Start Time:7:45 to 9:00am
Location: Gang Warily Recreation Centre, New Forest

Website:

The New Forest Show
Date: 28th, 29th and 30th July 2020
Opening Times: 8:00am to 6:00pm
Location: The Showground, New Park, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, SO42 7QH

The 3 day show takes place on 28th, 29th and 30th of July at the 30 acre New Park showground in Brockenhurst. 2020 marks the 100th Show and is now rated among the top ten agricultural shows in the country.

Website: 


New Forest Fairy Festival

Date: 8th and 9th August 2020

Location: Burley, New Forest

Website:


Purbeck Valley Folk Festival
Date: 20th - 23rd August 2020
Location: Purbeck Valley Farm, Dorset

Website:
Bournemouth Air Festival 
Date: 20th - 23rd August 2020
Location: Bournemouth, Dorset

Website: 

New Forest 100

Date: 19th September 2020
Start Time:7:40 to 9:45am
Location: Ringwood, New Forest
Website:

"Lovely Site"

"This is a lovely, peaceful, friendly family site - staff & management are exceptionally friendly & very helpful - nothing is too much.

The site is very clean, showers are lovely and warm (as is the pool). Onsite you have a park, playing field, great dog walking field , small games room and clubhouse with bar, food and some entertainment (all if which is highly recommended).

There are plenty of things to do in the area" 5 stars – Tripadvisor - Reviewed: 13 June 2016

Things to do all year round in the New Forest

Active

 
New Forest Cycle Hire – https://www.newforestcyclehire.co.uk/
 
Fancy a day exploring the New Forest by bike? Cyclexperience offers premium bike hire in the heart of the New Forest National Park. Based in the car park of Brockenhurst train station they’re easy to get to and the closest trail is only 400 metres from the station. If you fancy starting your ride from a particular spot – they can even deliver your bikes ready to go.
 

New Forest Water Park – https://www.newforestwaterpark.co.uk/

This New Forest attraction really is exhilarating fun for all the family! It is the first WIBIT Aqua Park in the country, there’s an impressive 4,000sq metres of inflatable fun to be had including 2 trampolines, monkey bars, flippers, slides, hurdles, springboard, rockers, rollers, an overhang climbing wall, a swing, a giant iceberg and much more.

Explore the Giant Course – Beat the Obstacles – Race your friends & family – and watch them totally wipe out!

Burley Villa School of Riding – http://www.burleyvilla.co.uk/

If horses are more your thing then here’s your opportunity to ride amongst the wild forest ponies and foals on the open heath. You can visit the habitat of the many herds of fallow and roe deer, badger and fox as you wander deep into the these ancient woodlands, along leafy forest trails and glades.

Burley Villa horse riding school has something for all the family from 'Holiday Half Hour' pony rides, 'Two Hour Trails and Hacks' right the way through to a full day 'Western Adventure' where you can in traditional or western saddle.


Relaxed


Exbury Gardens - https://www.exbury.co.uk/
Exbury Gardens is a lovely place to visit, not least because it has over 200 acres of garden to explore that houses the world-famous Rothschild Collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, rare trees and shrubs.
 
You will find a full schedule of events throughout the year – enough to keep every budding gardener entertained. Walk around the wooded trails or hop on the mini steam railway to enjoy a unique view of this wonderful garden attraction. Top the day off with an ice-cream or tea and cake in Mr Eddy’s Tea Rooms.

With excellent car parking, disabled access and amenities on site, it is the perfect destination for a perfect day out!

Buckler's Hard - https://www.bucklershard.co.uk/

Visit the 18th century shipbuilding village and literally step back in time. Discover what it was like to live and work along the banks of the Beaulieu River at the peaceful haven of Bucker’s Hard.

Wander through the Woodland Walk and see how the local timber was used to construct ships for the Royal Navy, or visit the Maritime Museum, which brings the local characters to life of this unique New Forest village.

For the Kids

Paultons Park and the home of Peppa Pig World - https://paultonspark.co.uk/

A great family day out, Paultons Park theme park is about 40 minutes drive from Shamba and has over 70 exciting rides and attractions. Appealing to the smaller kids, Paultons Park is home to Peppa Pig World - with 9 fun Peppa-themed rides, a large indoor Playzone and even Muddy Puddles to jump and play in!

For the bigger ones there is the Lost Kingdom, a unique Jurassic land that is home to the mighty Flight of the Pterosaur suspended rollercoaster, the thrilling Velociraptor coaster complete with lifelike moving Dinosaurs and much more!

The New Forest Centre, Lyndhurst - http://www.newforestcentre.org.uk/

The New Forest Centre is a fascinating museum right in the heart of the National Park in Lyndhurst. It’s a great place to learn about the forest and surrounding villages before you start exploring the area.

You can even learn how to detect animals in their Poo Corner game, listen to the sounds of wild and commoner owned animals, as well as  some good old fashioned bark rubbing.

Marwell Zoo – https://www.marwell.org.uk/zoo/

Just off junction 11 of the M3, Marwell Zoo is about 50 minutes drive away form the park, and well worth a visit if you are looking for a fantastic day out getting close to the wonders of the natural world.

The kids will love seeing the giraffes, penguins, stunning snow leopards and bat-eared foxes – the 140-acre park is home to an incredible range of exotic and endangered species, in beautiful, landscaped surroundings. 

Indoors


Beaulieu National Motor Museum - https://www.beaulieu.co.uk/

The Beaulieu National Motor Museum has over 250 vehicles telling the story of motoring from World Land Speed Record Breakers to Formula 1 racers.

You can visit Jack Tucker's Garage, which recreates the sights, sounds and smells of a typical country garage from the 1930s. Or why not take a ride around the attraction on the high-level Monorail or see the sights from the replica 1912 open-topped London Bus.

Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum - https://sammymiller.co.uk/

The 11 times British motorcycle champion Sammy Miller who has won over 1400 events has created one of the finest collections of fully restored motorcycles. You’ll find factory racing bikes as well as exotic prototypes – and they are all in working order – so don’t be surprised to see Sammy revving one of these up during your visit.

 

Foodies


Ringwood Brewery - http://www.ringwoodbrewery.co.uk/

The perfect outing come rain or shine, for real ale lovers. Ringwood Brewery is almost on the doorstep of Shamba Holiday Park – just a short drive away.

Take one of the two-hour brewery experience that includes a tour of the brewery where you can taste the malted barleys, have a sniff of the hops, and see the fermentations bubbling away in the Tun Room.

The tour also includes a tasting session with complimentary drink in the Pin Room.

 
Bombay Sapphire Distillery - https://distillery.bombaysapphire.com/

This one is for all of your gin lovers. Take a look behind the scenes at the famous Bombay Sapphire Distillery and uncover the secrets of this world-famous gin.

Either explore the distillery in your own time with an interactive map or share an interactive tour with one of the distillery hosts. PS – there’s a complimentary drink in the Mill Bar!